Waiting for your star power to be discovered? Retailer Banana Republic and cable network AMC are joining up to promote the third season of “Mad Men,” the Emmy Award-winning early 60s-era drama set in a Madison Avenue ad agency.
    
A lucky customer may even win the chance for a walk-on role in an upcoming episode and a $1,000 gift card from Banana Republic, which is owned by Gap Inc. 
    
To get you ready for your close-up, Banana Republic is promoting the show in all its North American stores leading up to its August 16 premiere, with mannequins dressed in classic early ’60s styles and even a “Mad Men” style guide.

Think sharp suits, wide skirts, form-fitting sheath dresses, fedoras and pearls.
    
“The Banana Republic partnership is testament to the broad influence the series has had on the world of design,” said AMC President and General Manager Charlie Collier.

(Photo: Banana Republic)

A new accessories store from Gap Inc chain Banana Republic is set to open in San Francisco in May. The boutique, Edition by Banana Republic, is a test for the apparel giant, and an opportunity to explore merchandising and design ideas for the accessories sold in Banana Republic stores.

The boutique in downtown’s Westfield San Francisco Centre will feature limited-edition jewelry, as well as handbags and other accessories, such as sunglasses and personal care items.
    
Most items will be priced below $100, Gap said.
    
Sales of accessories have been a bright spot in an otherwise dismal retail landscape since last year. With their lower price points — and higher profit margins — accessories have managed to maintain their luster with many women, who are jazzing up existing wardrobes while giving a cold shoulder to new apparel purchases.
 
The items available in Edition by Banana Republic will be unique to the store and won’t be available online or in the retailers’ other chains — even Banana Republic.

(Photo: Banana Republic)

The retail industry  is debating what the drastic discounts that were offered during the holiday season now means for “full priced” selling in 2009.

After becoming accustomed to discounts of 50, 60 or 70 percent, will consumers tolerate paying the full amount listed on a price tag? And if so, when will that happen? And does “full price” now mean selling items for 10 percent to 20 percent below what they were sold for a year ago?

Well, at Banana Republic there will be no full-priced purchasing for select credit card holders until May 1.

The apparel retailer sent a mailer this week to holders of its “Luxe” credit card. In it, the retailer offers an additional 10 percent off any full-priced or sale item when it is charged on a Luxe credit card between Feb. 1 and April 30.

“Just a small gesture to show you how much we appreciate having you as a customer — and a reminder that we’re here for you through thick and thin,” writes Jack Calhoun, president of Banana Republic.

Looks like full price won’t be in full effect until later this spring at Banana Republic.

(Photo: Reuters)

With retailers worried over the prospects for the holiday season (The Commerce Department said on Friday that retail sales slumped 2.8 percent in October — the largest decline since the department’s current methodology was adopted in 1992), they are expanding their definition of friends and family.

While “Friend & Family” sales used to be special events actually reserved for the friends and family members of a retailer’s employees, today it takes little more than an e-mail address to be considered a retailer’s friend.

Right now, Gap (seen in picture above) is touting its “Friend and Family” sale. The event began yesterday and offers shoppers 30 percent off in its Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Stores, and Old Navy stores. The sale ends Nov 16.

Meanwhile, Restoration Hardware is also holding a “Friends and Family Event” offering 20 percent off everything from Nov 13-16. Soma Intimates by Chico’s is touting 25 percent off “absolutely everything” for its friends and family this weekend.

Not to be left out, Macy’s is also trying to grab shoppers’ dollars with another special sale. In an e-mail message on Friday sent by Kent Anderson, the president of Macys.com, the retailer is offering e-mail subscribers an extra 20 percent off their next macys.com order.

“I know that choosing where to shop for what you need can be difficult, and I want you to know how much we appreciate your business,” the e-mail states.

But will these sales draw you into the stores this weekend? Or are you waiting until Black Friday to start your holiday shopping?

(Photo: Reuters)